Reanne Evans, 23, kicks off her bid for a record fifth straight World Ladies Billiards & Snooker Association world title nine days after cruising to victory with Maria Catalano in the European Ladies Team Championship in St Petersburg, Russia.
World number four Catalano, 27, is keen to emulate her cousin, Ronnie O’Sullivan, and claim her first world title.
Jaique Ip Wan In, the 2006 IBSF runner-up, and Yu Ching Ching, the 2008 IBSF semi-finalist, are jetting in from Hong Kong.
They are joined by eight-time German champion Natascha Niermann, Indian national champion Vidya Pillai and, also from India, Chitra Magimairaj - the 2008 Australian Open champion and two-time WLBSA world billiards champion.
Also in Saturday’s round-robin draw are up-and-coming youngsters Jodie Symes, 15, from Swindon, and England internationals Hannah Jones, 12, who won the junior title last year, and Joanne Davies, 16, both from Derby.
World number five June Banks, a beaten finalist last year, world number two Emma Bonney (Portsmouth), Catalano and 2007 finalist Katie Henrick are expected to be the main challengers for Evans’ crown.
Chris Sharpe (Chelmsford) hopes to retain the Seniors’ trophy. Defending champion Bonney is bidding for a fourth billiards title.
The six-day jamboree of women’s snooker kicks off with the round-robin group stages over the weekend. Two from each group of seven qualify for the knockout. The final is on Wednesday followed by the mixed doubles on Thursday.
SR Cues Ltd are donating a £380 SR World Stars’ cue No 1 to the world champion.
2009 WLBSA World Championships
April 4-9, 2009
Cambridge Snooker Centre
Coldhams Road
Cambridge
CB1 3EW
Tel: 01223 249661
Programme:
| Saturday, April 4 | 9.45am - round-robin draw 10am - round-robin groups commence
|
| Sunday, April 5 | 10am - round-robin groups Juniors
|
| Monday, April 6 | 10am - Plate 1.30pm - best-of-seven quarter-finals
|
| Tuesday, April 7 | 10am - Billiards 10am - Seniors 4pm - best-of-seven semi-finals
|
| Wednesday, April 8 | 10am - seniors final 10am - doubles 1.30pm – world final
|
| Thursday, April 9 | 10am - mixed pairs
|
Entry list:
| Name | Location |
| Reanne Evans | Dudley, West Mids |
| June Banks | Orpington, Kent |
| Katie Henrick | Bickley, Kent |
| Maria Catalano | Dudley, West Mids |
| Emma Bonney | Portsmouth |
| Jenny Poulter | Maidstone |
| Chris Sharpe | Chelmsford |
| Suzie Opacic | Brambridge, Hants |
| Eva Palmius | Isleham, Cambs |
| Gaye Jones | Melksham, Wilts |
| Martina Lumsden | Eastbourne |
| Vicky Ashby | Hemel Hempstead |
| Hannah Jones | Derby |
| Joanne Davies | Derby |
| Stacey Hancock | Burgess Hill |
| Tina Owen-Sevilton | Taunton |
| Marianne Williams | Smallfield, Surrey |
| Jan Hughes | St Neots, Cambs |
| Maureen Logan | Wallsend, Tyne & Wear |
| Supanni Yam-Oum | Canterbury |
| Sarah Smith | Sheffield |
| Chitra Magimairaj | India |
| Vidya Pillai | India |
| Jodie Symes | Swindon |
| Natascha Niermann | Germany |
| Yu Ching Ching | Hong Kong |
| So Man Yan | Hong Kong |
| Jaique Ip Wan In | Hong Kong |
WLBSA provisional rankings:
| Pos | Name | Town | Pts |
| 1 | Reanne Evans | Dudley, West Mids | 545 |
| 2 | Emma Bonney | Portsmouth | 500 |
| 3 | Katie Henrick | Bickley, Kent | 495 |
| 4 | Maria Catalano | Dudley, West Mids | 490 |
| 5 | June Banks | Orpington, Kent | 370 |
| 6 | Chris Sharpe | Chelmsford | 312 |
| 7 | Jenny Poulter | Maidstone | 261 |
| 8 | Suzie Opacic | Brambridge, Hants | 259 |
| 9 | Eva Palmius | Isleham, Cambs | 243 |
| 10 | Vicky Ashby | Hemel Hempstead | 209 |
| 11 | Hannah Jones | Derby | 202 |
| 12 | Martina Lumsden | Eastbourne | 196 |
| 13 | Joanne Davies | Derby | 175 |
| 14 | Marianne Williams | Smallfield, Surrey | 171 |
| 15 | Tina Owen-Sevilton | Taunton | 152 |
| 16 | Gaye Jones | Melksham, Wilts | 131 |
| 17 | Pam Wood | Newcastle | 115 |
| 18 | Maureen Logan | Wallsend, Tyne & Wear | 106 |
| 19 | Sarah Smith | Sheffield | 100 |
| 20 | Jan Hughes | St Neots, Cambs | 85 |
| 21 | Georgina Holloway | < |
